The notion that The Beatles weren't as innovative as they're given credit for has impregnated you. You will give birth to a mutant baby. Good luck.
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This thread delivers.
Quite literally, actually. Sheepwolf babies and Beatlemaniac/non-maniac hybrid bastardizations, oh my.
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I can see everyone's point about the Beatles. But here is something to consider. Most of you are looking at the Beatles through the eyes of someone who is influenced by today's music. In other words, your ear, has been tainted by what you already know and can hear in the present musical landscape. Just for a second, remove yourself to the 60's.
The Beatles, unlike ANY other band or performer during that decade, incorporated a wider array of music into their songs than any artist of the time, as well as MOST artists of today. They were the first to do so, and they remain one of the single most eclectically influenced groups ever. At a time when rock music was fairly simple and straight forward, they pioneered the application of other musical genres into a pop-rock format. They were ground-breaking pioneers and the first group ever to employ feedback (in 1964′s “I Feel Fineâ€Â). One of their first hits, “A Hard Day’s Night,†features an opening chord so revolutionary that people are still trying to figure it out.
1965′s Rubber Soul and the follow-up, Revolver, saw more innovation, from the use of a sitar in “Norwegian Wood†to tape loops in “Tomorrow Never Knows.†The use of the sitar in "Norwegian Wood" was the first time in music history that an exotic instrument was employed in a pop song! Then there are the backwards vocals in “Rain†(a first) and a Moog synthesizer on several songs on 1969′s Abbey Road. Although Sgt. Pepper was not the first concept album, its popularity led other musicians to try their hands at concept albums.
John Lennon's composition written for the A Hard Day's Night album, "I'll Be Back" is a little bit of musical genius. Modulating between major and minor keys--virtually key-shifting as only done in classical works--this song ignores traditional compositional convention by having two bridges, while lacking a chorus entirely. Additionally, the fade-out ending arrives half a verse early, creating a visceral response in listeners that underscores the story-line. This kind of song construction is why most trained musicians recognize the Beatles as a hell of a lot more than just another pop band. Some of their songs were the direct forerunners of branches on rock's family tree. "Helter Skelter", for example, is widely credited as the forerunner for all of Metal!
Yet aside from their musical achievements, they also achieved and retained pop stardom. In fact, they are the only band that I can think of who successfully retained their pop crowns while still showing immense growth as musicians. They boast 20 No. 1 hits in the United States, (19 No. 1 albums), with 24 consecutive Top 10 hits from 1964 to 1976 (six years after they broke up), a record for any group! From 1963 to 1970, the Beatles had a number one song and or album every single year. They were the most successful artists of the 60's.
Finally, the Beatles left a legacy, a challenge for all rock and roll. With their absolute pop dominance, their innovative arrangements, and their use of a wider variety of instruments and recording techniques than ANYONE had used up until that time, the Beatles legacy is one which begs for rock and roll to be innovative AND enjoyable. Sorry, but when I look around at most music today, the inheritors of that legacy are often (not always) musical posers with little talent, zero innovation and a dedication to zombie-like, regurgitated pop formulas.
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Side note- We both earlier proclaimed our love for Jannelle Monae's "Archandroid". Well, for me, the reason why that album is so exceptional is because it is much like a Beatle's album. Yes there are the pop hits, but the rest of the album is also innovative and rich with talent. That type of musical endeavor had never been seen before the Beatles. And THAT is what makes them great.
PS- when most people discuss the Beatles, they come at the subject from what they have heard- meaning their biggest "pop" hits. Now I don't know what your exposure has been, however, I would recommend sitting down and listening to these albums all the way through: The White Album, Sgt Pepper, Revolver and Rubber Soul. Also look up books or even Google "Why are the Beatles important musically?" and you will find tons of material. Soooo... I hope that you take a second look at the Beatles, and read why they are important to rock and roll.
:flirty-thank-you-sm
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What Lalo said.
Also, "Tomorrow Never Knows".
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Favourite Albums
